At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the design and delivery of enterprise-grade BI solutions using advanced Power BI.
- Company: Join Southern Water, a leader in data-driven decision-making.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, hybrid working, and comprehensive benefits.
- Other info: Be part of a dynamic team with excellent career growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Shape the future of BI and make a real impact on data transformation.
- Qualifications: 5+ years in BI, strong Power BI skills, and leadership experience.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 65000 £ per year.
Southern Water is building a modern, trusted data platform to support better decision‑making, regulatory performance and customer outcomes. Our Business Intelligence teams play a critical role in turning complex data into clear, actionable insight across the organisation.
As a Senior BI Engineer, you will play a leading and strategic role in designing and delivering enterprise‑grade business intelligence solutions. You’ll take ownership of the semantic layer and advanced Power BI reporting within a domain‑aligned agile squad, ensuring solutions are scalable, performant, secure and well‑governed. Working closely with the Platform Lead, Data Modellers and a wide range of stakeholders, you’ll translate complex business requirements into robust technical solutions, validate architectural designs, and champion high standards of data quality, reliability and cost‑effective delivery. In addition to technical leadership, this role includes line management and cross‑matrix leadership responsibilities, where you will mentor BI Engineers, grow capability across squads and help build a strong BI engineering community.
What you’ll be doing:
- Designing, building and maintaining the enterprise semantic layer for high‑performance reporting and analytics
- Leading the delivery of a performance management framework with certified metrics and a single version of the truth
- Developing and optimising Power BI datasets and reports, applying advanced performance, security and usability best practices
- Implementing row‑level security and access controls to protect sensitive data
- Partnering with Data Modellers and Engineers to translate complex requirements into scalable technical solutions
- Prototyping and validating designs using Databricks (SQL, Python, PySpark)
- Establishing scalable BI build, release and deployment processes, including monitoring and issue resolution
- Embedding data governance, data quality and compliance standards into BI solutions
- Managing and mentoring BI Engineers, supporting skills development and career growth
- Promoting knowledge sharing, best practice and continuous improvement across the BI community
- Actively contributing to agile ceremonies and driving iterative delivery and innovation
What we’re looking for:
- 5+ years’ experience in BI, data engineering or analytics roles
- Experience managing or leading technical delivery and resources
- Advanced experience with Power BI, including semantic modelling and performance tuning
- Strong hands‑on experience with Databricks (SQL, Python, PySpark)
- Excellent understanding of data quality, governance and security
- Experience working with modern data platforms, including Azure Data Lake and Delta Lake
- Strong background in data warehousing, reporting and analytics
- Experience with relational and dimensional data modelling
- Ability to gather, document and translate business requirements into high‑value BI solutions
- Confidence using agile delivery methods and tools such as Jira and Confluence
- Excellent communication, stakeholder management and mentoring skills
- A proactive, self‑managing approach and a passion for improving how BI is delivered at scale
Technical knowledge (desirable):
- Azure data services, including Azure Data Lake, ADF and serverless functions
- Power Query (M) and DAX
- REST APIs and data integration
- Metadata, lineage management and data cataloguing
- Performance tuning and optimisation techniques
- Experience with domain‑oriented or data mesh architectures
Qualifications:
- Essential: Microsoft Certified: Power BI Data Analyst Associate, Databricks Certified Data Engineer
- Desirable: Degree in Computer Science, Data Engineering or a related discipline, Experience in data governance or data privacy roles, Scrum Master certification or equivalent leadership experience
Why join us?
- Play a key leadership role in Southern Water’s data and analytics transformation
- Shape how enterprise BI is delivered across the organisation
- Work with modern cloud‑based data and BI technologies
- Hybrid and flexible working
- Competitive salary, pension, bonus and a comprehensive benefits package
Senior Business Intelligence (BI) Engineer employer: Southern Water
Southern Water is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment where innovation and collaboration thrive. As a Senior BI Engineer, you will not only lead the design and delivery of cutting-edge business intelligence solutions but also have the opportunity to mentor and grow within a supportive team culture. With hybrid working options, competitive salaries, and a comprehensive benefits package, Southern Water is committed to fostering employee development and ensuring a rewarding career journey.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Business Intelligence (BI) Engineer
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the BI field, attend industry meetups, and engage on platforms like LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can refer you directly.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Create a portfolio showcasing your best Power BI projects and any innovative solutions you've developed. This will give potential employers a taste of what you can bring to the table.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on common BI scenarios and case studies. Be ready to discuss how you've tackled complex data challenges and how you can contribute to Southern Water's mission of better decision-making.
✨Tip Number 4
Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you're genuinely interested in joining our team at Southern Water.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Business Intelligence (BI) Engineer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that align with the Senior BI Engineer role. Highlight your advanced Power BI experience and any leadership roles you've had, as we want to see how you can contribute to our BI community.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Use your cover letter to tell us why you're passionate about BI and how your background makes you a great fit for our team. Share specific examples of how you've turned complex data into actionable insights in previous roles.
Showcase Your Technical Skills:Don’t forget to mention your hands-on experience with Databricks and any relevant certifications. We’re keen on seeing how you’ve implemented data governance and quality standards in your past projects.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates regarding your application status.
How to prepare for a job interview at Southern Water
✨Know Your BI Tools Inside Out
Make sure you’re well-versed in Power BI and Databricks. Brush up on your semantic modelling and performance tuning skills, as these will likely come up during the interview. Be ready to discuss specific projects where you've successfully implemented these tools.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Since this role involves mentoring and leading a team, prepare examples of how you've guided others in previous positions. Think about times when you’ve fostered collaboration or improved team performance, and be ready to share those stories.
✨Understand the Business Context
Familiarise yourself with Southern Water’s mission and how the BI team contributes to it. Be prepared to discuss how you can translate complex business requirements into actionable insights that align with their goals. This shows you’re not just technically skilled but also understand the bigger picture.
✨Prepare for Technical Questions
Expect to dive deep into technical discussions, especially around data governance, security, and compliance standards. Brush up on your knowledge of Azure Data Lake and Delta Lake, and be ready to explain how you would implement best practices in these areas.
